Page 87 of Twisted Embrace

“Less than two months.”

“I know. I can’t sit comfortably any longer.” While she groaned as she shifted in her seat, her smile was bright. “I think I’m going to tell Dar about the baby’s gender tonight.”

I couldn’t help squeal. “He will be so excited.”

“We need some good news after this last two weeks.” She nibbled on her lower lip then grabbed a canape, the concern in her eyes as intense as mine.

“A baby boy. How amazing. You’ll need to start searching for names.”

“I have a few in mind. I called Sophia last night.”

“Oh, God. How did that go?”

Lucia reached for a bottle of water, her face pensive. “My baby sister was understandably upset that she hadn’t been told about the attack earlier. She’s such a special soul, her smile lighting up a room. At least I was able to appease her by letting her in on the secret about the baby.”

“Well, she of all people should understand what kind of life she was forced into.”

A slight flash of irritation crossed her face. “Growing up wasn’t all bad, at least not when we were younger. Besides, you can’t make fun of my family after…” She pressed her hand across her lips. “God, what is wrong with me? I blame the hormones for being a bitch.”

I moved in front of her, easing down carefully in the tight dress. “You’re not a bitch. And while I might not understand everything about your family, I would in no way disparage you or your siblings. Enzo is… he’s entirely different than I thought he was.”

“I’m curious how you see him.”

As I returned to my feet, I took a few seconds to think about the kind of impression he’d left on me. “He’s as brilliant as he is beautiful, more observant than anyone I’ve ever met. He’d so passionate that all he needs to do is look at me from across a room and I swoon. I actually swoon. Can you believe it?” I laughed, a slight quiver trickling down my spine. “He has so much concern over my welfare that it’s almost suffocating but not quite. When he places his hand on the small of my back, I feel like a queen. I know that sounds strange.”

“That sounds like love, which is exactly the way I feel about Dar. He’s my everything. The thought of losing him is so terrible that I almost go into a panic attack.” Before I had a chance to say anything, she held up her hand. “But it is something that could be a reality. In truth, he could be just a normal guy going to work and end up dead. I’m a firm believer that when it’s your time, nothing will stop the fates.”

“An interesting way of looking at mortality.”

“Perhaps it’s something for you to keep in mind. Enzo and D’Artagnan are very good at what they do. They’re well trained.”

My mind continued to fall back on the earlier vision. “It’s not necessarily Enzo I’m worried about.”

“Have faith.”

“I’m trying.”

She nodded, her quick glance indicating she had something on her mind. “Does Enzo know, about your cancer I mean?”

Know. The single word was all that was needed. “I told him. Full disclosure. He doesn’t seem to care that he might not have an heir to the throne.”

“They all care. Men in their standings are required to have a male child or there’s a stigma attached.” When she realized what she’d said, she wrinkled her nose. “Jesus Christ. I’m sorry. That was shitty of me. It’s obvious my brother loves you, although I can’t quite figure out how that happened.”

“Hey!” I snorted. “I am one fabulous find.” I’d already suspected having a naturally born child was important, especially since I heard about what D’Artagnan had gone through.

We both laughed, although there was a slight tension between us. “I want you happy,” she insisted. “I admit I do want you a part of the family. You are the single woman I think who can tame my brother.”

Exhaling, I took another sip of champagne, remembering the way he’d feasted on my pussy the night before, his mouth full of the same liquid libation just before swirling his tongue around my clit. “I am happy, but I think he might be taming me. However, I’m no fool. Either one of us could be dead tomorrow.”

“That’s a morbid way of looking at things, worse than what I said.”

I pointed toward the window. “No, it’s realistic. We have guards surrounding us, ready to kill anyone who steps in our way. We can’t leave the estate without an escort. I’m not entirely certain I can live the rest of my life that way.”

“It won’t always be so confining,” she offered. “Things will calm down.”

“When all the Russians are dead?”

Lucia seemed uncomfortable with my question. “Perhaps.”

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